You grab Pinkie and pull her close, smacking her full on the lips. She squirms, and pushes you away. Flush on the cheeks, she covers her mouth and stares at you with wide eyes. Somehow, she doesn't look happy.

You step forward and she bolts, leaving you in the dust.

This did not go well. Shadows in the room deepen and the waiter walks around, snuffing the candles. You had her in your grasp, but you blew it. She's still young and naive, and isn't ready for that kind of commitment yet. She will be eventually, but you tried to rush things and drove her away. You had her in your grasp, but you blew it.

You hang your head in shame. Perhaps in time you can ask her out again, but she's going to want a lot of time alone first. Violating her privacy like that wasn't the right thing to do. You should have at least asked first, but no, you went ahead and did it anyway.

Like a fool, you kissed her.

Go back.

(27)

You grin at her and sigh as the waiter comes by to clean off the table. That's his subtle way of telling you that your meal's over and you should leave. Well, you reserved the booth all evening, but the way he's walking around and snuffing candles indicates that it's closing time. You wish you could stay longer, particularly with her, but Pinkie has her own life to get back to and you're not quite part of that yet. You're on the threshold of being something more, but ultimately it's up to her to decide if she wants you or not. You can, of course, keep nudging her in that direction.

“Pinkie, thank you for the date. I had a wonderful time.”

“Aw, you don't have to thank me. I'm the one who should be thanking you. I had a wonderful time too, and pie! That was good too.”

You snicker. “Yes, that did look good, what little of it I saw. I think I missed half of it when I blinked. But that's okay, the Pinkie Pie I saw the rest of the time was even better.”

Pinkie chuckles. “You're not so bad yourself.”

You grin. “If you like me so much, how about another date? Does next Friendsday sound good?”

Pinkie's eyes widen, and she frowns. “Uh, I'd love to, but I have an anniversary party to plan on that date. Hmm, Saddlesday's booked too, with a birthday party and a recital. Sunday, Moonday...” She taps on her chin. “What about Hoovesday?”

You frown yourself. “I have an important meeting on that date. In my line of work, I can't just blow somepony off. Wingsday's kinda iffy. Can you make Hornsday?”

Pinkie taps on her chin. “Apple Bloom has her cute-ceañera planned for that date, but she does that every week and always cancels it at the last minute. So unless she does actually get her cutie mark, sure I can go then.”

“That's almost two whole weeks. Do you think you can manage that long without me?”

Pinkie rolls her eyes. “Well, I do have your neat-looking rock to remember you by.”

“Heh, well I'll take what I can get. Thanks again, Pinkie, and be sure to tell the peanut gallery what an amazing fun time you had tonight.”

“Peanut gallery?”

You point at a window, and three heads duck down when Pinkie turns to look. “Your friends. They've been watching us the whole time.”

“What!?” Pinkie runs over to the window. “You guys! What are you doing here? I thought I told you that I could handle myself.”

You can't hear the response, but Pinkie snorts and jumps out the window. For once, you're not sad to see her leave. You both had a wonderful date, and she agreed to a second one. Right now, you feel like you're on the top of the world.